What do we know about Kate's pregnancy and birth?

Kate Middleton is due to go into labour at any moment, with the Duchess of Cambridge expected to give birth in April.

She hung up her royal engagement shoes last month and is now thought to be resting at home in Kensington Palace while she awaits the birth of her and Prince William, the Duke Of Cambridges third child.

If William and Kates third child is a boy, the joint favourite names are Albert, Arthur and Fred, all with odds of 14/1.

Rupert Adams from William Hill said over 90% of the bets have been on female names, adding: The favourite is Mary but I cannot see it as it is massively over backed. Alice is good but personally I am all over Victoria – which makes good sense to me.

Queen Victorias third child and second daughter was named Princess Alice of the United Kingdom (1843-1878) and Alice was a favourite name for the royals when Kate was pregnant with Princess Charlotte in 2015.

Members of the British Royal family and guests pose around Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II) (CL) and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (CR) (future Prince Philip); at right the group includes Britains King George VI (5R) stood next to Queen Elizabeth (3R) with Princess Alice of Athlone (R) and in front of bridemaids that include Princess Margaretb (7R) stood next to Philip; at left the group includes the best man David Mountbatten, Marquess of Milford Haven (7L) stood next to Princess Elizabeth, Mary of Teck (3L), mother of King George VI, stands at left in front of the bridesmaids next to Princess Alice of Battenberg (5L), Philips mother; the page boys are Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent; in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on their wedding day November 20 1947 (Picture: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom was also the grandmother of Princess Alice Of Battenberg, the Duke Of Edinburghs mother.

Prince Williams great-great grandmother, the wife of George V, was called Mary. The name Mary is also one of the Queens middle names – Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.

Mary I, also known as Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants, also sat on the throne, as did Mary II, who ruled as monarch with her Dutch husband, William III.

A statement on Kensington Palaces Twitter feed read: The Duchess of Cambridge is to become the first Royal Patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Duchess of Cambridge is to become the first Royal Patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Furthering Her Royal Highness's interest in the visual arts, photography and design, she formally takes up the @V_and_A Patronage from today. pic.twitter.com/1wiEq3boA0

Furthering Her Royal Highnesss interest in the visual arts, photography and design, she formally takes up the @V_and_A Patronage from today.

In addition, she was seen out celebrating Easter Sunday with the royal family in Windsor, too. Although this isnt classed as a work commitment, it was still another sighting of the blooming Duchess before she gives birth.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend Easter Service at St Georges Chapel on April 1, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)Kates blooming bump was on full show during the Easter celebrations (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

How long did she take off for Prince George and Princess Charlotte?

With Prince George, Kate made her final public appearance on 15 June 2013, giving birth on 22 July.

She returned to work just one month later on 20 August.

Kate and William pose on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Marys Hospital on 23 July with Prince George, who was born on 22 July at 4.24pm and weighed 8lb 6oz (Picture: Danny Martindale/WireImage)Kate and William pose with Princess Charlotte on May 2, who was born at 8.34am and weighed 8lbs 3 oz (Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

With Princess Charlotte, Kate finished work on 27 March 2015, giving birth on 2 May. She took four months maternity leave this time, returning to work in September 2015.

This was so she could spend longer at home with Charlotte and George.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge during their official visit to Poland and Germany (Picture: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Could the third royal baby share Princess Charlottes birthday?

Given the Duchess has only just gone on maternity leave, it is possible her due date is at the end of April.

Princess Charlottes birthday is on 2 May, when she will turn three, and if Kate ends up being overdue, she could be dashing to The Lindo Wing at St Marys hospital just as Charlottes about to blow out her candles.